Key West businesswoman Jane Gardner holds a plaque of appreciation presented to her Wednesday morning by Key West Police Mounted Unit officers Matt Johnson (far left) and Mike Wolf, seen here with horse Scout, sporting new tack that Gardner purchased for the horses with funds she raised.

Wednesday morning Jane Gardner, proprietor of ‘Jane’ on Simonton Street, presented the Key West Police Mounted Unit with cupcakes, carrots and $2000 worth of new specialty tack and equipment, the result of fundraising efforts the local businesswoman conducted over the holidays. Jane, in turn, was presented with a plaque from the Unit, thanking her for her contribution and support.

Why a fundraiser for the horses? The City budget provides for the stable at the Truman Waterfront, feed, hay, and basic equipment. But it is public fundraising that provides for emergency veterinarian expenses, certain specialty tack and equipment, the possibility of new horses, and out of budget items.

“KWPD Mounted Police officers Matt Johnson and Mike Wolf explained that beyond their obvious role as equine ambassadors, the three mounted unit horses, Scout, Shmoo and Paco, perform effective crowd control work and are invaluable for furthering and promoting positive relations between residents, visitors and police officers,” said Gardner. “As the officers said, ‘you are never approached by anyone asking to pet a police car.’’